Parents: If you have a hyper-active child, would you consider giving your child RITALIN, if a doctor suggested

[silly_me]

why or why not?

[fascist_christ]

I'm not even a parent and I can already tell you NO!

Ritalin is in the process of getting banned and removed from prescriptions due to it's severe zombification effects as well as the "high" feeling you'd get if you smoked marijuana. Friends I know take Ritalin more than they should because it's practically a legal high for them. So, no; I strongly suggest you find something else.

[patricia c]

No I wouldn't because I don't believe in using drugs to control a child's behavior except in extreme cases where the child is totally out of control.

[hlynae]

No need in most cases.

[Shelley]

My oldest son was on Focalin for about a month. I took him off it because I didn't like him staring for hours at a time. I'm going to assume my oldest will end up going to the "special" school because he has a hard time sitting still and talking quietly. But again, me and his dad have no problems with that. Better he acts like himself than a zombie.

[Kismitt]

No because unless the child has ADHD then the Ritalin is simply making the child high. And even in cases of ADHD, there are very few cases where Ritalin is actually beneficial. I don't know of any doctors in my area that would ever prescribe a child Ritalin and I am glad, it is sickening that people are letting their children be doped up with the chemical equivalent of meth.
Not all children who are hyperactive have ADHD. Most are just normal kids, with a problem with wanting more attention. Over 60% of kids that have been diagnosed with ADHD are later told that they were misdiagnosed. Also, some of the fault lies in parents. Improper parenting techniques cause misbehaviors such as hyperactivity in children.
Children who are placed on medications for mental disorders have a higher risk of committing suicide. Is the fact that I no longer have to parent my child because he sits in the corner and drools because he is so drugged up worth having him committing suicide over? Not in my case.

[Esther]

not do not give the child ritalin. nine times out of ten the childs hyper activity is caused by his or her diet, not by there brain. boxed cereals are loaded with sugars and preservatives. for young kids with smaller body's a higher sugar and preservative intake the more hyper they get. cook your child and egg for breakfast, scrambled or poached. they love eggs. in other meals where there are sugary items try to put in salad, or celery. when your body digests these foods it takes a lot of sugars and energy to metabolize vegetables and fruits. overall just make sure that the preservatives and sugars are watched closely,

[fsucrim05]

no I would give them OMEGA 3 which is clinically proved to work 75% better than the cocaine like drug ritalin. Natural things are always the best remedies. hyperactivity is usually the result of a food allergy or a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

[desmeran]

If my child's hyperactivity was so severe that it was having a marked negative impact on their quality of life, and if I had unsuccessfully tried every non-medication route that I could, then I would consider a trial of medication to see whether it significantly improved their quailty of life. Those are the only circumstances under which I would consider it.

Most "hyperactive" kids just need more time to run around. But a small minority will lead happier, fuller, more productive lives with medications, and those kids deserve that help.